Partner in propulsion. Pon Power, Jochem Neuteboom

We can’t do it alone. Our vessels are what they are, in part, because of the suppliers we work with. Like our relationships with our customers, those with our suppliers are usually for the long-term – in some cases our connections go back to the dawn of standardised shipbuilding and beyond. In this edition of the Damen magazine we meet just a few of the suppliers that help us to deliver the high quality solutions that meet our clients’ needs.

Pon is active in several industries, including cars, tyres, bikes and earthmoving equipment. Of the group’s numerous companies that are active in the maritime sector, it is Pon Power that stands out as having the longest connections with Damen. The two companies started working together in 1969, the year that Kommer Damen first introduced the standardised shipbuilding concept. In fact, it was a Caterpillar engine that put the ‘Cat’ into Damen’s first series-production vessel, the Pushy Cat.

“Since then we have delivered around 11,000 Caterpillar engines to Damen,” says Jochem Neuteboom, Commercial Director for Pon Power. This substantial amount is perhaps best explained by looking at Pon Power’s range of products: power output from 10 kW to over 16,000 kW.

Indeed we have an engine type available for every single vessel in Damen’s portfolio.

Caterpillar’s involvement

As with any relationship that is close to reaching its golden anniversary year, it comes as no surprise that the bonds between Damen and Pon Power are strong. “We work closely with Damen’s engineering teams to develop and standardise solutions over the many vessel types as well as the various product groups. This includes certain features on engines that we develop together,” Jochem adds. It is here that the benefits of Pon Power’s connections with Caterpillar can be seen: “These developments can be incorporated into Caterpillar’s product portfolio, adding worldwide service and warranty into the equation.”

Half a century of business

Jochem uses a key trend of the future – digitalisation – to highlight how the two companies will continue to work together. “Damen has specific aims, and Caterpillar and Pon Power are investing heavily in this subject too. Development is taking place in the field of Asset Management, fuel reduction and end-user applications. So we are working together to help each other’s digital portfolios.”

In this way, you can see that Damen is a very important client for Pon Power and Caterpillar. And next year is a big year – we are looking forward to celebrating 50 years of doing business together!